INSIDE OUT REENTRY INC

Inside Out Reentry ("IO") is Johnson County's only comprehensive reentry community, and one of the few comprehensive community-based reentry programs in Iowa. To fulfill our mission, IO assists people with housing, employment, healthcare (especially behavioral health) transportation, education, and basic life skills, both directly and by referral. We provide a supportive community to promote pro-social living, accountability, and personal awareness through mentoring, weekly meetings with life skills classes and workshops, volunteer opportunities, and social activities. In addition, criminal justice reform and education for the wider community on the struggles and challenges of returning citizens have been key components of IO's work since its inception. We provide the following core services to citizens returning from incarceration, or with significant criminal legal involvement: Comprehensive Case Management and Individualized Reentry Planning. Reentry House - Transitional sober reentry housing (6 bedroom), supports include in-house staffing, weekly house meetings, and case management support. Residents can stay for up to two years. Employment - assistance with job searches, applications, resumes, interviewing skills, collaboration with local jobs programs. Housing - assistance with housing searches, applications, credit checks, referrals to housing assistance programs, and acquiring furniture. Mentoring - pairs a volunteer with an incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individual for support and friendship. Weekly Community Meetings - topics include goal setting, dealing with adversity, mindfulness, personal growth, healthy living, and more. Weekly Hope House meeting - at 6th Judicial District's Work Release Center. Weekly Coffee and Connections - Peer recovery group for individuals in all stages of substance use recovery. Additional Group Programming - bi-weekly Writing and Arts Workshop, 6-week Acceptance Commitment Training (ACT) group. Life Skills - financial and computer literacy, monthly budgeting, healthy relationships, communication. Identification, Medicaid, Health Insurance - assistance with applications and referrals. Referrals and Support - Mental health, substance use, and healthcare (including accompaniment to appointments as needed). Resources - Bus passes, a backpack with hygiene products upon release, and access to the IO resource closet with donated clothing and household items. IO also communicates with individuals incarcerated across the state to provide support and develop reentry plans before release. In FY25, IO saw an increase in almost all our services. IO served over 268 people in the community. There were 1154 total visits to our Resource Center from 237 different individuals seeking assistance. This is a 52% increase in visits compared to the previous year. In addition to the people served in the community, we communicated via CorrLinks (prison email system) and letters to 267 individuals who were incarcerated to assist with reentry planning, sending and receiving more than total 2200 messages. IO saw an increase in attendance in almost all our meetings in FY25: Weekly Community Meetings: 143 different individuals attended. Weekly Hope House groups: 110 different individuals attended. Weekly Coffee and Connections: 98 people attended peer recovery meetings. Creative Collective: 50 people attended. 27 individuals were involved in financial literacy education. Acceptance Commitment Training (ACT) group - 18 individuals attended. IO assists individuals with creating resumes, applying for employment, and seeking workforce training. With IO support, many participants found and maintained employment; 76% of individuals reported stable employment. Several individuals we assisted found jobs after being unemployed, and a couple of others received promotions at their jobs. In addition to working with individuals in our Resource Center and at weekly community meetings, IO continues outreach with individuals who are currently incarcerated or under supervision. We believe this preparation has a major impact on their success upon release. In March 2020, the Iowa Department of Corrections suspended visitations. In response to not being able to visit the correctional and residential facilities, we've increased our outreach via email and mail to continue supporting individuals in preparing for their release. We also mail birthday and Christmas cards. IO offers opportunities for our members to socialize positively in the community and learn about new activities and resources. Social events IO participated in included a fall dinner, a movie night, a fish fry, a dance performance at Hancher, and an outdoor music concert. Also, every quarter we host a game night where we partner with a local church or group that serves a meal and joins us for games and camaraderie. IO supports programming that reduces barriers. In August and June, IO partnered with Veridian Credit Union to host three-part financial literacy programs. Members who attended all three classes were eligible for a $250 match toward a secure credit card or CD account. Our members who attended were grateful for the opportunity to not only learn valuable information but gain access to a financial resource as well. IO also began a partnership with CBI Bank and Trust where they attend our house meetings periodically to provide financial literacy education to residents. Also, IO started our six-week ACT group (Acceptance Commitment Training) this year. This group is focused on skill-building to cope with stressors, aid in emotional regulation, and building awareness to reach goals. Public education and awareness is an important part of our work. IO held public events that aligned with its mission to support incarcerated individuals returning to the community. In February, IO held our 3rd annual Art From The Inside Out, a free art show featuring the work of people who have been incarcerated. It celebrates the talent and hard work of these artists as well as promotes public awareness of the humanity and resilience of incarcerated people. Our reception event was a success, and featured speeches from artists. The public response from this event was great, and we built support from the broader community on the issues facing those impacted by incarceration. In June, IO hosted a parole simulation with the Johnson County Attorney's office, where individuals from the community had the opportunity to take a fictional identity and experience a "month on parole." This simulation sheds light on the barriers and obstacles that many experience during the reentry process. Additionally, we speak at churches, student groups, universities, and other public events on the struggles returning citizens face. In August 2023, IO opened our transitional sober reentry house and during this fiscal year we had 13 residents reside in the house. This 6-bedroom home serves men who have been released from jail, prison, or work release within the past 6 months. Residents are low income, at or below 30% area median income at the time of admission. Every week we hold weekly house meetings where we provide space for residents to share any concerns, we discuss various topics and do skill development on communication, substance use recovery, goal planning and more. Staff are available throughout the week to provide case management support and we've seen progress with individuals obtaining their goals more quickly than in less supportive environments.